Corowa’s new $10.3 million swimming pool is not expected to be completed and open to the public until April 2021, instead of the previously anticipated opening for the 2020-2021 season.
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“Some unforeseen delays have now become evident in the approval process, due to council being required to await the re-formation of the Regional Planning Panel,” Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler said at yesterday’s monthly council meeting.
“This re-formation has recently been confirmed, and they are to meet in mid to late March. Council had anticipated a January or February approval.
“This has effectively delayed the project by several months.”
And another matter will further the project.
“During the development application exhibition process, one submission was received raising concerns about a lack of adequate storage facilities for the swimming club,” Mr Butler advised.
“This submission is now required to be tabled at a public meeting forum, prior to the determination hearing, with a date yet to be advised by the panel.
“The requirement of this meeting will also further delay the project’s construction timeline, as an application without submissions, can be approved electronically by the panel, which usually saves weeks/months.”
Despite missing the summer of 2020-2021, the heated indoor pool, café and splash park is still expected to gain good usage into the cooler months.
Federation Council will now go out to the wider public to advise of the new forecast opening date for the complex.
Council will engage with residents, tourism operators and businesses to advise of the new construction timeline.
A further report will be presented to council with the new construction timeline, once approval is provided for the project by the Regional Planning Panel and council staff have met with contractors to confirm new project milestones.
Mr Butler said the steering advisory committee has provided great guidance and input into the long-awaited project.
“The next meeting will occur once the final designs are in place,” he said.
“The planning approval is required to be determined by the Western Regional Planning Panel. This is a State Government established panel comprising three state appointed members, and two council appointed members. The application is required to be determined by the panel and not council, due to the Capital Investment Value being greater than $5 million, and the land being council owned/controlled.”
Cr Paul Miegel said that council, along with communities, are naturally disappointed with the latest delay.
“Some community self-interests have delayed the project,” he said.
“It is what it is.”
Mayor Pat Bourke said that council has put every step in place to make it happen on schedule.
Steering committee chairperson, deputy mayor Shaun Whitechurch said the delay is obviously disappointing. “But the whole process of going on public display is to ensure all stakeholders – all users – are happy with the outcome,” he said.
“In this case the swimming pool committee identified its concern.
“At the end of the day, we’ll end up with a pool complex meeting everyone’s wishes.”
Funding for the long-awaited project has been made possible with the allocation of significant State Government funding through the Stronger Communities Program ($5.0 million) and the Stronger Country Communities Program ($0.9 million). In addition $1.0 million has been secured from the NSW Clubs Grant Program. Council has also committed $3.4 million of council funds ($1.9 million cash and up to $1.5 million if required, in loan funding) to deliver this project.
In order to deliver the facility as quickly as possible, council has been active in demolishing the old pools, amenities building, and pump room, and clearing and readying the site for the new pool.
Mr Butler said that some initial required services for the new complex, and for the new Ball Park Multi Sports Pavilion - to be built directly adjacent to the Pool building - have also been established/re-routed.
“The contractor has begun to move equipment to the site and had their first on site meeting several weeks ago,” he said.
“The project is being managed by council’s internal staff, headed by director engineering, Steve Carmichael.”
